Tuesday, October 8, 2013

An art journal page for Donna Salazar Designs!

Hey everyone. I hope you are all well. Here with you today to share my first project for October for Donna Salazar Designs.

So I have really been experimenting with mixed media these days and am really loving art journalling. It had always appealed to me in the past, but it looked way too complicated and I found it intimidating to even start. But then, one day a couple of months ago I just went for it. I bought a cheap A5 art journal from The Scrapbook Storeand a couple of colours and mists and decided to go for it.

I think the most overwhelming part of the mixed media and art journalling world is the abundance of products that is out there. You just do not know what ALL those colour mediums do or how to use them correctly and you really do not want to experiment too much with products that cost quite a bit right? I have found it all too much, I will be honest.

So what is the answer? First of all, I gave myself permission (yeah!) to accept the fact that all this art journalling business does NOT need to look like every one else's! No, it doesn't! Your art journal is just like the diary you wrote in high school.. they all look the same on the outside but the writing on the inside was yours, and it was personal and only you could write it that way. Right? Same with art journalling.. sure there is a whole heap of technique that you could put into it but you know, this is only my 3rd page EVER and I am sure there are a million other ways it could have been done but this is what i chose to do and THAT IS OK! I am learning and experimenting too so every new page is a new possibility.

I guess what I am trying to say is that there is no right or wrong way to go about it. Ok you trial stuff, you might waste a bit of money here or there and you might not like some things you make but why not just give it a go and see where it leads? For me.. I am hooked! I like the no rules type of thing...being the closet rebel I am LOL!

But anyway, if you can afford to buy some basics like gel mediums, gesso, some acrylic paints and other colour mediums then do so. But them in small bottles to start with just to see what you like.. You do not want to spend $50 on a 1L gel medium that doesn't work for you! Maybe buy a little at a time but while you are building up your stash why not use what you already have?

In today's post I am showing you how to use things you probably have at home. I hope so anyway..

Here is my art journal page

"Me"

My journalling got a bit heavy.. so I left it private in the next page!

Now here are some ideas on building up your art journal page. You really need to forgive the light and colour in these images. I have 3 children, one of which is 4 months old and I can only do this at night LOL!

Thanks for sharing some techniques, Nadia. I am a bit intimidated by using mixed media. I was given a journal and have done a couple of pages. I am sort of out there with different styles--just playing around. I think I try to make it perfect when really there should be a free form about it, I guess. But, it is fun and a diversion from the stresses of life!

Your words about it not having to be right or any particular style were liberating for me...Being one who usually has a plan, a photo and the journalling done before I start, this seems so free form and fun...I do have an Art Journal....just need to be brave enough to experiment now. TFS

I have been looking at MM videos on you tube lately and there are gazillions of ways to use all the products out there, so you have spoken wisely about just start small and be yourself.. Love watching your step by step, the end result is thought provoking and creative.. just how they pages should be I reckon, it is an expression of what is on your mind at the time of creating.. have fun and I look forward to seeing what else you get up to.. and I hope your gorgeous girls are all well!!

This is such a beautiful page Nadia. You have such a way of making things look sooooo easy. I think the hardest thing for me is to realise that it is ok if it is not like everyone elses. I always feel like it is wrong if it is not the same :( but I love this and I love the circles... Stunning!

I feel like Val does...also have to get over the - It has to look like every one else's thinking, and accept it's all right to be different ! Loving your words today even more than your art, which I always love any way!!!

Totally agree....most of the fun is in discovering what you like to do!!!! And you know what, the big thing here for me was....oh yeah!!! The old pen in a compass for circles....completely FORGOT how easy that is... Sometimes the least complicated the better.......sooo looooove the circles:):):):):)!!!!!!!!!